PUBLIC-D79714: Medieval lead pilgrim’s ampulla

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AMPULLA

Unique ID: PUBLIC-D79714

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

Medieval lead pilgrim's ampulla of 14th to 16th century date
The ampulla is fragmentary, missing one face and the side loops (with a length of 52.3mm and a weight of 20.5g). The mouth is expanded (with a width of 22.9mm). Both suspension loops have been lost but remnants survive on the damaged neck. The obverse face is badly corroded but the remnants of ribbing are discernible, describing the scallop-shell motif and representing pilgrimage. The ribs appear to have been fine and widely-spaced, probably of Spencer's (1990, p 59) Type II. The sides of the obverse face are bevelled to the edge (producing a body diameter of 31.5mm and a maximum surviving thickness of 7.8mm). The reverse face has largely been lost and no surviving decoration is now evident on the surviving part. The original surface has largely been lost and the ampulla now has a pale grey to white surface.

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1600

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 52.3 mm
Width: 22.9 mm
Weight: 20.5 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Friday 30th July 2010

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Other reference: NMWPA 2010.53.2

Materials and construction

Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Decoration style: Other
Completeness: Fragment

Spatial metadata

Region: Wales (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: the Vale of Glamorgan (Unitary Authority)
District: the Vale of Glamorgan (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Llantwit Major (Community)

References cited

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
Spencer, B.	1990	Salisbury Museum Medieval Catalogue: Part 2, Pilgrim souvenirs and secular badges	Salisbury	Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum	59

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: PUBLIC
Created: 12 years ago
Updated: 12 years ago

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